Recruiting and Retaining Diverse Teacher Candidates: Successes and Challenges

• In Event: The Power of Community: Researching Transformation by Remedying and Repairing Teacher Education

Abstract

Researchers will share data on efforts to recruit, support, and retain teacher candidates of color through targeted outreach, financial support, mentoring, and curriculum changes. Successes, ongoing challenges, and implications will be examined. Diversifying the teacher workforce requires intentional efforts to recruit, support, and retain teachers of color (Carver-Thomas, 2018).

This research provides critical insights into effective strategies and persistent challenges in diversifying the teacher workforce, contributing valuable data to inform policy and practice in teacher preparation programs nationwide. By implementing and analyzing a multi-faceted approach to recruitment, support, and retention of teacher candidates of color, this study offers a nuanced understanding of the complexities involved in addressing the lack of diversity in the teaching profession. The findings not only highlight successful strategies but also illuminate ongoing barriers, providing a comprehensive view of the landscape of teacher diversity efforts. This work has significant implications for educational institutions, policymakers, and researchers seeking to create more representative and culturally responsive educational environments.

Author

• Ruben Cortez, Pacific Oaks College